AN appeal decision on refused plans to build 98 homes on the outskirts of Skipton is expected imminently, says the Planning Inspectorate.

Persimmon Homes lodged an appeal with the government’s Planning Inspectorate in May after its application to build new homes off Aldersley Avenue was twice refused planning permission by Craven District Council.

The council’s planning committee went against officer advice on both occasions to refuse the applications, which were strongly opposed by ward councillors and nearby residents, who claimed the development would bring more traffic to the area , already suffering from congestion, and put a strain on services.

Persimmon came back with a revised scheme in March last year after its first application was refused for the single reason that some of the planned properties would overlook existing residents of Moorview Way.

But, its revised scheme, which included 20 affordable homes, and despite once again being recommended for approval by officers, was again refused permission by members of the planning committee, even though Persimmon claimed to have addressed the previous concerns of overlooking.

In its decision notice, the council said four of the proposed new homes would have an ‘adverse impact’ on four existing bungalows in Moorview Way.